Day 32...Deliver Us from Evil!

Today we come to the last petition in the Lord’s prayer, “deliver us from evil.” Literally it says, “deliver us from the evil” Thus, it could refer to the evil of our fallen enemy nature, or the evil world system or the evil one- the devil. It’s important to note the past, present and future deliverance from evil that Scripture reveals-

The Lord has already delivered us in the past from the evil of sin’s penalty. This is known as justification. Our position is now in Christ and we have been declared right in God’s sight. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col.1:13-14. The word “rescued” here and in the following verses is the same Greek word [rhuomai] used in the Lord’s prayer “deliver” us from evil. We can give joyful thanks that he has delivered us from the evil dominion of darkness. We are no longer bound by hell and hell-bound. So as we come to praying, “deliver us from evil” it’s quite fitting to first give thanks for how the Lord already has delivered us from evil.

In the present time, the Lord is delivering us from the evil of sin and Satan’s power. This is known as sanctification, where we are becoming more sanctified (that means "holy") in our practice. In light of what he did for us in our past, we now gratefully want to please him in the present. But there’s a problem. “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?" Rom.7:21-24. We can't rescue or deliver ourselves from our old evil nature anymore than a drowning man can rescue himself. This reminds us again of our need to pray- “deliver us from evil.” For the Christian life is not hard, it’s impossible apart from the power of Christ. But we are not left to rescue ourselves. So Paul then celebrates there is Someone who will deliver him from this evil. “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Rom.7:25. It is the power of the Spirit within that enables us to overcome the downward pull of evil. Just as the law of flight (aerodynamics) is greater than the law of gravity, the power of the Spirit is greater than the power of our evil nature. As I trust and obey him, I gain the victory. He teaches me to say "No" to evil and to live to please my coming King (Titus 2:12-14). So presently, daily, I can thank the Lord and pray to be delivered from evil. 

But in this present evil age, we also know "that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” 1 John 5:19. [Literally- “the whole world lies in the evil one” It lies in his jurisdiction.] We know that God is the ultimate ruler, but those who rebel against Him are under the jurisdiction of the evil one. And evil people do the will of the evil one, including persecuting God’s people. That’s why Paul said, “Pray that I will be rescued [delivered] from perverse and evil men” 2 Th.3:2. We need to remember to pray for our persecuted brothers in other lands- “deliver them from evil”- from evil men and the evil one. Wouldn’t we want people praying for us if we were venturing into the enemy’s dominion? Aren’t you glad we have prayer warriors praying for us? If severe persecution should ever come to our shores, would we be unstoppable? What mindset would it take to remain true to the Lord, even unto death? The answer is revealed in Rev.12:11- “They triumphed over him [the evil one] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Paul put it this way- “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” Acts 20:24. Paul was unstoppable. May we also be.

Isn’t this the attitude of those in the military? Seal Team 6 that took out Osama Bin Laden thought they were going on a suicide mission. They didn’t expect to come back, yet they didn't cower. Why? They had dedicated themselves to the mission. They didn't shrink from death or pain. They were unstoppable. “No man can be brave who thinks pain the greatest evil.” Cicero. The greatest evil would be shrinking back from persecution and death just to save my skin for a few more years, before standing before the One who sacrificed his life to rescue me from evil and eternal flames.

Finally, one day in the future, he will deliver us even from the presence of evil and the evil one, and he will complete his transforming work in us. This is known as glorification. “When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” Col.3:4. What a day of rejoicing that will be! So our prayer, “deliver us from evil” can also express our longing for that day when Christ returns and makes this wrong world right and we are forever delivered from even the presence of evil.

G.a- Several Scriptures have been quoted in the blog today regarding, “Deliver us from evil.” Please comment on one or something that was said in the blog that struck you. 

G.b- May we become unstoppable, like Paul. Write down the first half of Acts 20:24 on your MP3 card. The new NIV puts it this way- “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-” Our task is to multiply MANLY men. (Feel free to use whatever version you prefer. Do the “Did it” when you did it.) 

G.c- Cowards avoid sacrifice, pain and death. Write out and post a manly prayer of unstoppable dedication. It may resemble your Acts 20:34 MP3 or you may want to word it differently. 

G.d- How many individuals or groups did you share the riches of your MP3 card with since you posted yesterday?

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"Deliver us from evil" reminds us that we are in a war and we need to pray that God would provide us spiritual protection. Yet, this is rarely sought. Often I hear people pray for God to give them physical protection as they travel. That's fine. But rarely do I hear people pray for spiritual protection. The armor of God is described in Eph.6 precisely because we are in a war and need protection. "Put on the gospel armor, put on each piece with prayer."